"I think that place is really getting Barney down." Marshall later told his friends as they congregated at the local pub.
"Maybe we should go visit him." suggested Lily.
"How about this weekend?" added Robin.
"I don't know guys, I promised Stella that we'd have a homecooked meal."
"Yeah because that worked out so well last time!"
Ted rolled his eyes.
"A non-fatal meal. If I'm going to marry her I should get to know her."
"And you'll get plenty of other opportunities," Lily insisted. "but I think a friend in need should come first. I'm sure she'd understand."
"Especially when it's kind of your fault he's in hospital in the first place." muttered Marshall.
Everyone stared at him.
"What?" he said.
"Honey that's a terrible thing to say!" Lily exclaimed.
"But it is true." he added.
Lily seemed a little lost for words at this statement.
"Hey! It is not my fault Barney got into that accident! He broke the roommate agreement." Ted protested.
"If anything it was my fault," said Robin, looking down. "if I hadn't slept with him –"
Again the entire group protested.
"Okay!" Lily virtually yelled, bringing the argument to a close. "Let's just blame the bus driver."
The others considered this for a few seconds, then nodded in agreement.
"So it's settled;" she announced. "we visit Barney this weekend.
So, that Saturday they showed up at the hospital. Barney was undergoing another session of physical therapy and it was not going well. He really really missed his suits and couldn't seem to get his mind off them. Yet somehow, he was making progress. He managed to walk to the end of the section before falling over. It hurt. A lot. Where's the nurse when you need her? he wondered. Barney stayed on the floor for a few seconds, panting, but then he heard applause.
He slowly turned his head to see his friends tanding by the door, clapping. He smiled despite his foul mood and grabbed hold of the pole by his side. Slowly he used it to push himself up into a standing position.
"What are you guys doing here?" Barney asked.
"Marshall thought we should come by and check on you." said Ted, approaching his friend.
"Yeah. It hasn't been quite the same without your legen – wait for it – dariness." Robin joked, coming forwards.
Barney smiled. God it was good to see her – no, them.
"I'm fine, but thanks for coming."
He didn't want his friends to see him like this.
The others exchanged glances, surprised by his dismissal.
"We come bearing gifts." said Ted.
Barney's grin rapidly grew in size.
"Awesome! Give me a minute." With a look of deep concentration on his face, he made his way over to the wheelchair and sat down. "Gimme!"
As the group lined up, he smiled to himself. Maybe this wouldn't be such a sucky summer after all.